50 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



simple precautions and directions are heeded, little trouble or 

 annoyance from insects need be anticipated. In house culture the 

 aphis and red spider are the most foiTnidable ; for the first, fumi- 

 gation with tobacco, when it can be done, is the best thing, but if 

 the aphis is any wa^'s abundant the plants will need fumigating at 

 least twice, a day or two intervening between the fumigations, to 

 be sure of the destruction of all, with the young. Where the use 

 of tobacco is objectionable, four ounces of quassia chips, boiled in 

 four quarts of water ten minutes, with four ounces of soft soap dis- 

 solved in the liquid, and applied with a soft brush to ever}' part, 

 leaf and brancli, of the plants, after fifteen or twenty minutes 

 syringing the plants with pure water, will answer as a substitute. 

 Out-doors in Ma}', or as soon as the leaves begin to grow, the rose 

 caterpillar begins to glue the leaves together, to form a shelter for 

 itself. Go over the plants frequentl}- and pinch these folded leaves, 

 thus destroying the insect ; this is the most simple and efficacious 

 remedy, if it be a little revolting to the very fastidious. For the 

 sawfly larvse, and other later appearing insects, syringing with a 

 solution of four ounces of whale oil soap in four gallons of soft 

 water will usually destroy them ; where this proves inefficacious, 

 powdered white hellel)ore, sprinkled over the fohage while wet, will 

 prove efTectual ; but let no one think that a single application of 

 any one remedy is all that may be needed during one season, but 

 be prepared to repeat whenever necessar}'. The rosebug or rose 

 chafer, is a pest which often destroys the blossoms, its nature de- 

 priving us of the opportunit}' to attack them except in the per- 

 fect state ; and then we must destroy them b}' pinching their heads, 

 stamping on them, and scalding ; a little daily attention for five or 

 six weeks will eflTectually dispose of them. Toads are fond of 

 them and will dispose of large numbers when an opportunity is 

 given them. 



Mildew sometimes attacks the rose, and is usually caused by ex- 

 tremes of heat and cold, excessive and continued dampness, with 

 continuous cloudy weather, too little bright sun and fresh pure air ; 

 sprinkling with sulphur and soot are remedies, but caution must be 

 used not to give the sulphur too freely, or it will destroy the foliage. 



To sum up, I would only add, that the whole culture is com- 

 prised in the seasonable, careful, judicious, and sensible application 

 of the natural laws of cause and effect. 



I herewith subjoin a list of such hardy and tender varieties as I 



